PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 31/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON, August 31 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced that on September 14 the Senate’s health committee will meet to hear testimony from health care stakeholders representing doctors, hospitals, insurers, patients, and insurance commissioners.
Manny Sethi M.D., President of Healthy Tennessee, Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon, Nashville, TN
Susan L Turney MD, MS, FACP, FACMPE, Chief Executive Officer, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Inc., Marshfield, WI
Robert Ruiz-Moss, Vice President, Individual Market Segment, Anthem Inc.
Christina Postolowski, Rocky Mountain Regional Director, Young Invincibles, Denver, CO
Raymond G. Farmer, Director, South Carolina Department of Insurance NAIC Secretary-Treasurer
The hearing on Thursday, September 14th, titled “Stabilizing Premiums and Helping Individuals in the Individual Insurance Market for 2018: Health Care Stakeholders,” will take place in Dirksen 430 at 10 a.m ET.
Alexander and Murray announced earlier this month that the committee would hold a series of hearings in September on stabilizing premiums in the individual insurance market so that the 18 million Americans in the individual market will be able to buy insurance at affordable prices in the year 2018.
The committee will meet next Wednesday, September 6 to hear from insurance commissioners and Thursday, September 7 to hear from governors on stabilizing premiums in the individual market.
Sens. Alexander, Murray: 5 State Flexibility Experts to Testify at Sept. 12 Hearing on Stabilizing Premiums in the Individual Insurance Market
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 31/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON, August 31 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced that on September 12 the Senate’s health committee will meet to hear testimony from health care experts on ways to increase state flexibility in the individual health insurance market.
Governor Michael O. Leavitt, Former Secretary of Health and Human Services
Allison Leigh O’Toole, Chief Executive Officer, MNsure, Minneapolis, MN
Tarren Bragdon, CEO, Foundation for Government Accountability
Bernard J. Tyson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan, Inc. Pleasanton, CA
Tammy Tomczyk, FSA, FCA, MAAA, Senior Principal and Consulting Actuary
The hearing on Tuesday, September 12th, titled “Stabilizing Premiums and Helping Individuals in the Individual Insurance Market for 2018: State Flexibility,” will take place in Dirksen 430 at 10 a.m. ET.
Alexander and Murray announced earlier this month that the committee would hold a series of hearings in September on stabilizing premiums in the individual insurance market so that the 18 million Americans in the individual market will be able to buy insurance at affordable prices in the year 2018.
The committee will meet next Wednesday, September 6 to hear from insurance commissioners and Thursday, September 7 to hear from governors on stabilizing premiums in the individual market.
Sens. Murray, Cantwell, WA Democratic Reps. Urge Immediate Action from Feds to Protect Native Salmon from Fish Farm Fiasco
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 30/ 17 (source link)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), joined by Reps. Adam Smith (WA-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Denny Heck (WA-10), and Suzan DelBene (WA-01), wrote an urgent letter to the heads of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to press the two agencies to take quick and decisive action to address the impacts of hundreds of thousands of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon in Washington state waters.
Citing the importance of wild salmon fisheries to Tribes, fishermen, and ecosystems in the state, the members of Congress are calling on NOAA and the Army Corps to direct federal resources to mitigate the risks of this incident, including the capture of the escaped farmed salmon. The letter also calls on the Army Corps to work to stop all permitting for new net pens or expansions to existing pens, as well as prioritize requests to update or maintain existing pens.
“Pacific salmon are central to our economy, our culture, and our environment in the Pacific Northwest, and are a critical part of marine and estuarine ecosystems in Washington state,” the members wrote. “The released Atlantic salmon pose a threat to wild Pacific salmon, including multiple endangered and threatened stocks in the region. Tribes, fishermen, and state agencies are working to respond to the escapement but the scale of the release calls for immediate and direct federal response…”
The farmed salmon escaped from a damaged facility owned by Cooke Aquaculture on August 19th and 20th. Since the breach, farmed Atlantic salmon have been found as far afield as Canadian waters on the West side of Vancouver Island, as well as the Skagit and Nooksack Rivers. The released Atlantic salmon pose a threat to wild Pacific salmon, including multiple endangered and threatened stocks in the region. Farmed salmon tend to be larger and could outcompete wild salmon for critical resources such as prey and preferred habitat, which is important for spawning.
Tribes and federal and state agencies have worked tirelessly towards restoration of wild salmon populations in Puget Sound. At a time when stocks of many types of wild Pacific salmon are at historic lows, the escape of thousands of farmed salmon could be a devastating setback.
The members also asked the agency heads to conduct a review of the integrity and operation of all currently operating net pen structures to address concerns of further accidents at existing facilities.
Text of the letter can be found below:
Dear Acting Administrator Friedman and Mr. Lamont,
We write to request the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) immediately act to minimize the impact of the Atlantic salmon net pen failure near Cypress Island in Skagit County, Washington. The released Atlantic salmon pose a threat to wild Pacific salmon, including multiple endangered and threatened stocks in the region. Tribes, along with federal and state agencies have worked tirelessly to restore wild salmon in Puget Sound and the escapement of thousands of farmed salmon could be a devastating setback.
Pacific salmon are central to our economy, our culture, and our environment in the Pacific Northwest, and are a critical part of marine and estuarine ecosystems in Washington state. Pacific salmon support treaty rights for Tribes throughout the region, commercial and recreational fishers, as well as predators like the endangered Southern resident orcas. On August 19th, potentially hundreds of thousands of farmed Atlantic salmon were released into the Puget Sound ecosystem due to the structural failure of a net pen. While the fish farm facility was permitted under Washington state law, the escapement may negatively impact resources under the jurisdiction of NOAA, the Army Corps, and other federal agencies. Most concerning is the threat farmed Atlantic salmon pose to the wild Pacific salmon populations stocks in Puget Sound. Farmed salmon tend to be larger and could outcompete wild salmon for critical resources such as prey and preferred habitat, which is important for spawning.
Tribes, fishermen, and state agencies are working to respond to the escapement but the scale of the release calls for immediate and direct federal response including mitigation, scientific support, and funding to improve response and capture of the released Atlantic salmon. Further, as other net pens remain in our waters, we request the Army Corps halt all permitting for new net pens or expansions to existing net pens, while prioritizing permit requests to upgrade and maintain existing net pens. In addition, we ask NOAA and the Army Corps to review the integrity and operation of all existing net pen structures to determine any additional threats to wild salmon in the area and prevent any further escapement of farmed salmon into our waters.
We appreciate your ongoing work to restore Pacific salmon in Puget Sound and throughout the Pacific Northwest.
OUR PARKS AND FOREST
US DEPT. OF INTERIOR: National Park Service Releases Review of Chimney Tops 2 FirePress release issued 8/ 31/ 17 (Link source)
GATLINBURG, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke issued an independent review of the Chimney Tops 2 Fire that burned 11,410 acres in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in November 2016 and merged with other area fires, which caused 14 deaths and millions of dollars in damage in the Gatlinburg area.
The report outlines the origins and growth of the Chimney Tops 2 Fire within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It identifies a number of factors that contributed to the growth of the fire over the course of six days within the park before the fire moved beyond the park boundaries to merge with other fires and become the Sevier County fires. The report also provides a summary of findings and recommendations regarding the park’s fire management planning and response capabilities.
“While visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week, I met with park staff, local officials, and members of the Gatlinburg community that were impacted by this devastating fire,” said Secretary Zinke. “Based on those meetings and my review of the report, I am satisfied that it accurately describes the unusual and unexpected conditions that resulted in the largest fire in the park’s history and a series of other fires around the park, which caused so much devastation to the community of Gatlinburg. I am committed to leading efforts to ensure that the National Park Service, along with other land management agencies, state and local governments take the lessons learned from this horrific fire and make changes that will help us prevent tragedies like this in the future.”
This report will be combined with other reports and investigations to ensure that every action can be taken to prevent similar fires in the future. Among next steps, the National Park Service is working to:
Upgrade Great Smoky Mountain National Park’s radio communications system to ensure interoperable communication between the park’s emergency responders and local cooperators, with capacity to accommodate multiple simultaneous incidents. This is a $2.5 million initiative through a public-private partnership with the Friends of the Smokies and the National Park Service.
Issue seven neighboring fire departments portable radios and personal protective equipment this fall with funding through the Department of the Interior Rural Fire Readiness program.
Implement the goals of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, which prioritizes healthy and resilient landscapes, fire adapted communities, and safe and effective response. This includes efforts to actively manage vegetation and fuels effectively, removing dead and dying trees.
Assemble a Management Action Team of fire and leadership experts to take immediate action at the local, regional and national levels based on the findings and recommendations from the report.
Participate in a review of the broader Sevier County fires with local, state and other federal officials.
“We see this report on the Chimney Tops 2 Fire as the first steps of a journey that will help us institutionalize the lessons learned from the tragic Sevier County fires,” said National Park Service Fire and Aviation Division Chief Bill Kaage. “The review report is only the beginning of a longer process.”
The chief for the National Park Service (NPS) Division of Fire and Aviation in Boise, ID delegated the review of the Chimney Tops 2 fire to an independent team of seven interagency fire experts in February 2017. The team was charged with identifying the facts leading up to and during the Chimney Tops 2 Fire within the boundaries of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as well as making recommendations on planning, operational, or managerial issues which can be addressed locally, regionally, and/or nationally to reduce the chances of a similar incident in the future.
Between February and April 2017, the review team conducted research and interviews of personnel and leadership involved in the Chimney Tops 2 Fire. They used materials and information gathered during the fire cause investigation, their own interviews of involved NPS staff and cooperators, as well as fire weather data and other information to create a narrative of the event from the time it ignited on November 23, 2016 through the time when it left the park at 6:08 p.m. on November 28, 2016.
Joe Stutler, a senior advisor for Deschutes County, Oregon, led the interagency fire review team and thanked the park, local community leaders, and fire response personnel for their support during the fire review process.
“We appreciate everyone who assisted with the review effort and helped us get a complete picture of the firestorm that impacted Sevier County last November,” Stutler said.
US DEPT. of INTERIOR: Statement from Secretary Ryan Zinke on President Trump's Tax Reform
Press release issued 8/ 30/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON – Today, President Donald J. Trump delivered a speech outlining his priority to deliver tax reform to the American people. The following statement can be attributed to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke:
"President Trump is once again delivering on a promise to the American people by proposing much-needed tax reform. We have some of the highest taxes in the world, and the impact is felt across the economy.
"The President’s proposal would allow Americans to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks, allowing them to invest in their and their children’s futures and also support and grow the economy.
"At Interior, tax reform means Americans will have more money in their pockets, allowing them to do things like go on family vacations to our treasured National Parks and other public lands. There’s few things more iconic to America than piling in the family car and going on a road trip to the Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, or Old Faithful. Last year, visitors to National Parks contributed more than $35 billion in economic output to local communities and helped support 318,000 jobs in everything from hospitality and recreation to transportation and retail. Parks are economic engines for rural communities, however we can grow tourism and recreation economies if consumers have more money to spend and small businesses have a simpler and fairer tax code to work with.
"Lastly, tax reform and regulatory reform go hand-in-hand. Lower taxes will allow businesses to have more money to invest in our public lands, which creates jobs and also generates local revenues to benefit schools and rebuild infrastructure."
ON THE STATE LEVEL OUR PARKS AND FOREST
WDFW: State's first case of AHD in deer confirmed, in southcentral Washington
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 29/ 17 (link source)
GOLDENDALE – For the first time in Washington, wildlife managers have found in deer a viral infection known as Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease (AHD).
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officials confirmed AHD, which can be deadly to deer, in a herd east of Goldendale in Klickitat County. This type of AHD is specific to deer and is not uncommon in other states, including Oregon where an outbreak was reported near The Dalles earlier this year.
AHD specific to deer does not pose a risk to livestock, pets, or people – from contact or by consuming the meat. However, the use of rubber gloves is always recommended for handling any wildlife carcass.
"This disease is common enough in California and other western states that we've likely had it before but just haven't been able to document it," said Kristin Mansfield, WDFW veterinarian. "At this point, the disease appears to be localized here."
Stefanie Bergh, WDFW district wildlife biologist, said reports of dead deer fawns began in early July and have continued through August. After working with landowners to find fresh carcasses, WDFW sent tissue samples to Washington State University's Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, where the AHD virus was confirmed.
Signs of deer with AHD include rapid or open-mouth breathing, foaming or drooling at the mouth, diarrhea, weakness, and emaciation. Most of the dead deer reported were fawns, which is common with AHD. Death can occur within three to five days from the time a deer is exposed to the virus, although not all infected deer die. Cases of AHD typically peak in midsummer and taper off in the fall.
There is no known cure or treatment for the virus. AHD is transmitted by direct contact between deer, making it more likely for the virus to spread in areas with high deer concentrations, Bergh said.
"For that reason we ask people not to concentrate deer by providing feed or water for them," she said. "That is the best way we can help minimize the spread of this disease."
People in the Goldendale area who see live or dead deer with signs of AHD are asked to report their sightings to WDFW's Ridgefield office at 360-696-6211.
For more information on AHD, see http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/andevirus/adenovirus.pdf
DNR: Using Caution Essential Labor Day Weekend as Forecasts Call for Hot, Dry Weather
Press release issued 8/ 30/ 17 (link source)
With the Labor Day holiday weekend fast approaching, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is urging everyone to please take responsibility for their actions when playing or working outdoors.
Most of Washington has seen temperatures higher than normal throughout the summer, with some areas of eastern Washington having gone more than 100 days without precipitation. The combination of heat and lack of precipitation makes forests and grasslands more vulnerable to wildfire and can produce more extreme fire behavior.
“While Labor Day usually marks the end of summer, we’ve got a lot of the fire season left to go. We’re not seeing any relief from the hot, dry summer we’ve had any time soon, creating conditions that could lead to explosive wildfire growth,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “So far this season, our firefighters have done a great job keeping fires small but they’ve been stretched thin all summer, due to regional fire activity. I ask everyone to give them a break and be very aware of any activities that may spark new fires.”
DNR has one of the state’s top wildland firefighting teams ready for deployment over the weekend. Crews, fire engines, helicopters and other firefighting aircraft are being pre-deployed to key locations around the state to provide quick response as new fires develop.
This year, 88 percent of Washington wildfires have been human-caused. As of Aug. 28, 2017, DNR has responded to 598 wildfires this year. Here is a comparisons of the last 5 years:
2012 – 476 fires for 15,181 acres
2013 – 87 fires for 89,992 acres
2014 – 676 fires for 191,431 acres
2015 – 873 fires for 326,231 acres
2016 – 676 fires for 14,246 acres
Camping and recreating
Campfires in eastern Washington are currently prohibited. In western Washington, please check with local campground hosts to see if you can have a campfire this holiday weekend.
Only build campfires where authorized and when not under a burn ban; put them completely out before leaving camp, even for a few minutes; use plenty of water and stir until the coals are cold to the touch.
Dispose of lit smoking materials appropriately.
Fireworks, incendiary ammunition and exploding targets start fires and are illegal to use or discharge on public lands, including all state forests.
Vehicles and Towing
Be sure chains and other metal parts aren't dragging from your vehicle or trailer. They can throw sparks and start fires.
Make sure all off-road vehicles have a properly functioning and approved spark arrester.
Be careful driving through or parking on dry grass or brush. Hot exhaust pipes can start the grass on fire. You may not even notice the fire until it’s too late.
Check tire pressure and condition. Driving on an exposed wheel rim can cause sparks.
Have brakes serviced regularly to prevent brake pads wearing too thin; metal on metal can spark or drop pieces of hot brake pad.
No Drone Zone
Please help keep our firefighters safe by not flying drones around wildfires. Learn more about the unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and their interference with wildfire suppression efforts from the National Interagency Fire Center. #IfYouFlyWeCant
Daily updates on burn restrictions are available at 1-800-323-BURN or on the Fire Danger and Outdoor Burning risk map at fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/ and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels map at dnr.wa.gov/ifpl.
Those who spot illegal campfires or smoke are urged to call 911 immediately.
OUR ENVIRONMENT
EPA Honors Environmental Educators and StudentsPRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 31/ 17 (link source)
PHILADELPHIA (August 31, 2017) – Earlier this week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored 12 educators and more than 75 students for their exceptional contributions to environmental education and stewardship.
The agency gave awards to the winners of the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) and the President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA), at a series of events in Washington, D.C. on Monday.
“Through their work, these impressive educators and students demonstrate how community partnerships — between schools, business and government — can build and sustain environmental change,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Together, EPA and our partners are working to improve environmental literacy across the nation.”
This week’s events featured speakers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Toyota’s North American Environmental Sustainability Programs, and the North American Association for Environmental Education.
“The educators being honored provide the foundation from which the next generation of environmental leaders will grow,” said acting NOAA Administrator Ben Friedman. “It is also heartening to recognize the achievements of the student winners, who will undoubtedly unleash more innovation in the future and serve as role models to their peers.”
The PIAEE awards recognize innovative educators who bring environmental education into their classrooms through hands-on, experiential approaches..
The Mid-Atlantic PIAEE winner, Mary Ann Settlemyre, was recognized for her accomplishments at Centreville Elementary School in Va. where she integrates environmental lessons into all the school’s classes including art, math, writing and technology. Her approach is for students do research and learning both inside the classroom and outdoors. In a school where the students speak 55 languages, Settlemyre inspires student leadership and stewardship through hands-on learning. She also was a major factor in Centreville Elementary’s recognition as a U.S. Department of Education Green School, and one of the National Wildlife Federation’s Top Ten Greenest Schools in the U.S. Settlemyre is currently at Milford, NJ teaching at the Holland Township School.
PIAEE honorable mention was awarded to Joseph Bentz, a middle school teacher at Albert M. Greenfield Elementary in Philadelphia. Bentz was recognized for his teaching that extends beyond his Greenfield students to families, community members and other teachers in the Philadelphia School District. He reaches out to students, parents and residents to discuss environmental issues and green solutions to topics such as storm water management for their inner city neighborhood.
The PEYA awards recognize outstanding environmental stewardship projects by K-12 youth. The 15 winning student projects, announced in June 2017, includes two projects by brothers Devin and Roldan Kramer in Ardmore, Pa. and 11 students in George Mason High School’s environmental group in Falls Church, Va.
EPA Statement on Reported Explosion at Chemical Plant in Crosby, Texas
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 31/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt released the following statement on the report of an explosion at an Arkema facility in Crosby, Texas that occurred in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey:
"EPA’s focus is on the safety of those around the facility and we urge those in the area to follow the safety instructions of local authorities. EPA is providing assistance and resources to the first responders in Harris County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“EPA has emergency response personnel on the scene and the Agency is currently reviewing data received from an aircraft that surveyed the scene early this morning. This information indicates that there are no concentrations of concern for toxic materials reported at this time.
"We will consider using any authority we have to further address the situation to protect human health and the environment."
Additional Background:
At approximately 2:45 a.m. CT this morning the National Response Center received a report from Arkema concerning a reported explosion at their facility in Crosby, Texas.
As described in the National Contingency Plan (a federal regulation under the CERCLA statute), EPA is required to prepare for and respond to any release or threat of release of oil, hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants into the environment that may present an imminent and substantial threat to public health or welfare and the environment.
As a result, EPA has deployed an ASPECT aircraft to secure chemical information from the smoke cloud and EPA’s federal on-scene coordinator will arrive shortly to ensure all federal resources are available to first responders. EPA is also sending additional air monitoring personnel and equipment to augment the current efforts of the state and local first responders, and monitoring teams from Houston will arrive on-scene in the next few hours.
EPA provides the Co-Chair of the Region 6 standing Regional Response Team, a group federal agencies that support a response, and provides pre-designated On-Scene Coordinators for the inland zone. The Coast Guard is the other Co-Chair. EPA is responsible for providing expertise regarding ecological and environmental effects of pollution releases and environmental pollution control techniques
There is a 1.5-mile radius exclusion area around the explosion site and EPA personnel are getting as close to the scene as possible. Currently, a zone has been set by the local fire marshal to protect the area from potential additional explosions.
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WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS
FROM THE UN NEWS CENTER:
Guterres says UN ready to support relief efforts in South Asia countries hit by floods, landslides
1 September 2017 – Saddened by the loss of life and the devastation caused by widespread floods and landslides due to torrential monsoon rains in Bangladesh, India and Nepal, Secretary-General António Guterres said today that the United Nations is ready to support ongoing relief efforts.
UN allocates $21M to meet urgent needs in newly-accessible areas across Sudan
1 September 2017 – The United Nations today allocated $21 million to provide life-saving food support, nutrition, water and sanitation, health and other assistance to thousands of Sudanese in newly accessible areas in Darfur's Jebel Marra area, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
NATIONAL
NYT: As Waters Rise in Beaumont, Houston Starts to Head Home
HOUSTON — As Houston-area residents made their way back to their flooded homes, many of them unable to do more than survey the wreckage and retrieve a few precious items, people in Beaumont went without running water for a second day on Friday and record-breaking floodwaters there continued to rise in the aftermath of storm Harvey.
AP: Young U.S. immigrants mobilize effort to avoid deportation
PHOENIX — President Donald Trump is facing increasing pressure from CEOs, Roman Catholic bishops, celebrities and a national mobilization effort as he weighs eliminating an Obama-era program that shields young immigrants from deportation.
Daily Bible Verse: Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
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